When we leave, Emmett gives her a Space Pirate salute while I check out my reflection in the glass door. I can’t help but stare. That girl definitely looks like Cosette, with Boris tucked under her arm.

I shake my head in disbelief and put my hand over Hattie’s heart vial.

Just hang on a bit longer, sis.

I promise I’ll bring you back home, if it’s the last thing I do.

11: The Cheollima and His Cookies

DESPITE EMMETT’S RELUCTANCE, WE RIDE BORIS all the way to Koreatown. Every second counts when Hattie’s life is on the line, and he’s the fastest form of transport we’ve got. I’ll even admit that his wagging tail is starting to grow on me. He’s kind of cute—for a scooter, anyway.

I’m not sure what time it is, but as we approach the H-Mart, the streets are full of people grabbing their morning coffee on the way to work. I squirm inside, thinking of how worried Eomma and Appa must be by now…. I wonder if they even got any sleep.

The image of their tired, red-rimmed eyes lights a fire under my butt. We rush to the Korean fried chicken counter in the H-Mart, and I hold my breath as the Miru guard checks our gifted marks. Cosette’s glamour works like a charm, though, and as the symbols glow silver on our wrists, the protector gives us entry.

The temple lobby is lively today. Clan witches are busily going about their business, entering and exiting the elevators. By the number of people dressed in green robes, I’m guessing there’s some kind of event happening for the infusers today.

“Wow,” breathes Emmett, looking around. “I knew this place existed, but seeing it with my own eyes is something else. Can’t believe all this is inside that walk-in fridge.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.” I feel a small flower of pride bloom in my chest as I show Emmett this part of my world. I want him to know how amazing it is, to understand why it’s so important for me to be accepted here.

I lead him to the elevators and we jump into the first one that opens. Thankfully, no one else is waiting to use it. We don’t know who might recognize Cosette and Adeline, so we need to keep our distance from everyone and keep moving. I press the button for the basement floor and hold my breath. I remember Auntie Okja once telling my eomma that it was fitting the gifted library was in the basement, since the Horangi clan were “beneath us.”

I jab the CLOSE DOOR button over and over again in a vain attempt to make the elevator shut faster. Eventually, the doors begin to slide together. I’m about to let out a sigh of relief when a loud (and frustratingly familiar) voice calls out.